(Eagle News)–Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II stressed on Monday (September 19) that Senator Leila De Lima started collecting her drug proceeds from New Bilibid Prison as early as 2011.
He alleged that the amount collected was used during her campaign for Senate.
“Even nung 2011 nag-umpisa na ang mga drug monies na pumupunta sa direksyon ni Secretary De Lima, even before 2013 parang nagbalak na rin yata si Senator De Lima,” Aguirre said.
According to Aguirre, it was convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian who instructed drug lords inside NBP to sell 20 to 50 kilos of narcotics every month and give some of their gains to De Lima.
“Pero hindi natuloy yan at yan pinangatawanan ni Jaybee na sigurado na sila na tatakbo si Sec. De Lima noong 2016,” the justice secretary added.
Aguirre revealed that there is a witness who will prove De Lima’s links with Sebastian in the House inquiry that would kick-start on Tuesday (September 20).
“May mag-testify diyan na pag pumapaok si De Lima, diretso sa kubol ni Jaybee Sebastian and the visit would last 3 to 4 hours, ganoon katagal,” Aguirre hinted.
De Lima earlier denied any allegations involving her to Sebastian.
On the other hand, Sebastian broke his pledge to testify against De Lima after his request for his transfer to a maximum security compound was granted.
“Pumayag ako kasi magsasalita raw siya pero apparently pagkatapos pagka-transfer sa maximum, di rin naman niya tinupad yung kanyang pangako, pinabalik ko sya sa Building 14,” Aguirre explained.
The government is expected to have at least 30 witnesses– from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel to high-profile inmates– who will testify on De Lima’s involvement on proliferation of illegal drugs in NBP during her tenure as justice secretary.
